Monday, December 7, 2009

Digital Printouts, Testing Inks, & Giveaway

I know many of you like to print out blank pictures and color them in with your Copics. This is the technique I use when doing an Illustration, I draw it then scan it in, touch it up, and print it out. However, a lot of you still have questions.

Digital PrintoutsCopic Marker inks will not destroy lines printed out from a laser printer or standard photocopier. This is because they are toner-based devices and the toner is fused to the paper so the alcohol ink from the markers will not destroy it.

Many of you are working with inkjet printers though. This gets a little more tricky and I can't say it will work or not. Each printer uses slightly different inks and you really need to test your printouts before you color and make a mess. My mom uses a really old inkjet and any kind of moisture will destroy a printout from her machine. However, we have a newer, large format Hewlett Packard printer with archival, pigment inks at work and the markers color just fine on things I've printed from there.

Testing InksTesting a printer ink is the same as testing any other inks. Print something out on the same paper you would regularly color on, then follow the steps on this older post to see if your ink will hold up without destroying your marker nib.

Another technique I frequently use is to make a blob with my marker next to the ink I'm going to be testing and "push" the marker into the ink line by over-soaking the paper. Here I am testing a cheap ballpoint pen ink to see if it will bleed with my markers. I'm careful to not let the tip of my marker touch the ink line. Work with a light colored marker so you can easily tell if it's messing up the line. This is the technique I show during Certification Classes.

As you can see, cheap ballpoint pens do not work well with Copic markers. However, if you have a large colection of ballpoint pens you can donate them to kids in Africa who need them for school through the nonprofit organization Pens for Kids. This would help them have a happy Holiday season and help you clean out some of the clutter in your drawers.

Happy Holidays GiveawayMeanwhile, I have an early Christmas gift for you. Your very own blank picture to download and try coloring with markers.

I'll be coloring this later this week, but I first need your help coming up with something for the little bird to say.

You could be the lucky winner...

Simply leave a comment today with:

1. A suggestion for what the bird should say .

2. If you have an inkjet printer let us know what model (or kind of ink in the printer) you use and how well Copics work when you color printouts. If you decide to print this out and color it then you can also leave a link here to your finished piece.

Thanks for playing! On Thursday I will choose a random winner from the comments to get a mixed goody bag worth about $40 in Copic products. And I'll show some of my favorite things for the bird to say.

By the way, I was going to have the bird say "Now all we need is a Dame singing love songs..." You could probably come up with something better :)

Good Luck!

Note: This Contest is now closed. Comments are still welcome on printer types but prize winners have already been chosen.

I have an HP 3150 Inkjet & have occasional issues with my printouts "bleeding"; I usually dry them with my heat gun and it seems to help. Think my next printer will be a laser so I know I won't have any issues.

(I have a laser printer so I'm lucky in terms of copics, but I can't do easy embossing of digital images the way people with inkjets can do. I also don't have color printer. But overall, I really do prefer the laser printer.)

I have a HP printer and use the HP ink 92/93 -- cannot use copics even with heat setting or letting it sit for a very long time! I also have a HP Deskjet 9800 with HP 97 ink -- haven't tried that on Copics. I figured it wouldn't work either but maybe I should try it out.

Ok, in light of the Twitter world we now live in, how about "sending you a Tweet"? Or, "stopping by for a tweet" I have a Lexmark 9350 and I have no problem with using my copic markers with images I print from my Lexmark.

2) I have an HP OfficeJet printer & have NO TROUBLE printing then coloring - just let the ink DRY for about 20 minutes & you're good to go. I use it all the time for copying stamped images I receive from friends in the mail - I save the originals for more copies later...sort of extends the fun! {wink}

"Of course he's resting! He shades snow all night, every night, just like most Copic crafters I know do at this time of year...."

I'm about to test out my brand new markers on this image. I have a HP Officejet J6400 series and will be printing onto ordinary Reflex paper, as my printer won't let me print on cardstock. BBL with a link...

I have a canon pixma MP630 printer. i printed off the picture and have got colouring!!!!I printed onto neenah classic crest solar white cardstock.the results???I was amazed! no bleding with my markers or the blrnding pen! I honestly thought it would bleed. i will be posting my finished picture here on www.osirisandloki.blogspot.comand for the those cute little birds?what are they singing?" all i want for christmas is a copic pack, a copic pack"(to the tune od all i want for christmas ismy 2 front teeth)LOL!!

I use an HP Deskjet F2110 and print on GA Pacific white and get pretty good results considering it is an inkjet. I am somewhat careful not to saturate the lines when coloring but a few "slip its" don't ruin my project generally. However, if I print on to the lighter taupes and greys (CS) from my local Hobby Lobby, I get a little more bleeding and have to be very careful. Overall, I would say they are pretty good results though. Here is a link to one printed on white...

For printing from an inkjet after you print it just dump some clear embossing powder on it and heat it. The ink no longer runs! I can't come up with something for the bird other than "Merry Christmas"Lori

1. You must push on! We need to deliver the Copics to that poor gal scrapthat that has NONE in time for Christmas!2. I don't have copics so I can't tell you how it would work but I've never had a problem with bleeding or anything with my distress inks...Canon 1p2600

I've found that you can color with copic markers over almost any printer ink if you seal it first by spraying it with a matte fixative. Sometimes just heat setting works, but for really stubborn inks spraying should work!

Hi Marianne, I always send people, who ask me about Copics to your site. You've taught me all I know. As for the little bird...it might say"Do you think Santa will give the showman some Copics? Maybe we can use them when he goes away for the summer." Or "Do you think Bing Crosby knew how to color snow with his Copis?" Or a totally unCopic idea, "Where is Bing Crosby when you need someone to sing White Christmas?"Merry Christmas and thanks for the picture to color. Jessica

1. Do we like carrots?2. I have a Canon Pixma iP6600D and I use Staples cardstock and I have no problem coloring with my Copics. I heat set my printout just to be on the safe side.3. Merry Christmas everyone.Rose

Mr. Snowman, you will look so much better after Copics gives you some color and Marianne gives you some shading!!! I have an HP printer and use therequires HP ink. I sometimes haveproblems and then sometimes I don't.I wonder if it was the paper. NowI heat set and also leave overnight.I think that helps

I just love Sandy Cimbaro's three sayings for the birdie. I'm afraid that I can't come up with much except the idea that the birdie is telling the night before Christmas. ... "His eyes-how they twinkled! His dimples how merry!His cheeks were like roses, his nose like a cherry!His droll little mouth was drawn up like a bow,And the beard of his chin was as white as the snow." Not very clever I know, hey ho (or should I say Ho, Ho) :0)

2) I have an HP Deskjet 950c - I use the cheapest ink I can find, an set the printer to print best quality. The only time I ever had any trouble with colouring in was when the printer was set to draft. I usually colour on the paper the next day.

Great sketch by the way, thanks very much, and I love reading your tutorials, thanks again.

1-"who says winter is a dull season- colour us as bright as you like with copics"OR 2 -"we wish you a merry christmas, we wish you a merry christmas"OR 3- "I sure hope that's a copic Marker Frosty has not some other sort"

I have a Canon Pixma printer I use all the time for images to color. I stamp an image until I get a nice one then I scan and print for a master copy so that I don't have to ever stamp that image again unless I want to. It is a perfect way to make an image the size you would prefer.

"This must be the 'ringer' they brought in for the Holiday Art Festival, he uses those Copic markers!"

And, my printer is a Canon Pixma MX310. The few times I have ever tried to print one of your items off to color, I have not had a problem with the ink cartridges smearing. I have not downloaded any digital art from a website to color, not sure how those work, although they seem to be getting more and more popular. I still like my stamps and ink, seems like you'd waste less paper in the long run.

I haven't used my printer to print off any images. I do have a laserjet, so I guess I'll have to print some off and try coloring them. Thank you so much for the tips. I had wondered if the images would smudge.

2. Who would have thought a man made of snow could love a refillable marker that much.

I just a HP printer with the 56 cartridge and it makes a mess. So I print mine out at work with either the laser printer (also HP) and the copier. When I do classes we just use the copier for worksheets (shading techniques, color wheels ect...)

I've got an Epson Stylus TX110 all-in-one. I printed out a test page, waited 10 minutes and found there is absolutely no bleed when using a light Copic marker on black...and I gave it a real good scribble! I am impressed and excited as I thought I could not use an inkjet printer with Copics.

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I have a HP Deskjet all in one F4500. It uses number 60 ink. I printed a picture, let it dry over night. It didn't smear or bleed, but if I take it over the lines (there were some small areas, where this was almost unavoidable) The ink discolored the copic color on the paper a bit RV10 and B0000. However, the lines were still crisp, and there wasn't any ink transfer to the nib of the marker. So, good for the marker, not so good for your picture. If you can avoid touching the lines, seems to work fairly well. (also, I didn't have a decent cardstock. It was only 65lb.)

I'm certain that you think you get nothing but spam on older posts like this, but I thought that I would ask you on your blog rather than email again. I'd love to try this technique, because it will eliminate many of the smearing problems I have, but my printer struggles with Copic Art Pack paper. It's simply too heavy a weight. We are thinking of replacing our printer soon, but can't find many that can feed paper through flat even if they do accept cardstock of that weight 70 pounds. And recommendations for a printer that can actually use it?

About Me

I am the North American Product Director for Copic Markers, working at Imagination International, Inc. I have written 4 books on coloring with Copics in conjunction with Colleen Schaan. I used to design stamps for Our Craft Lounge. The things I post on this blog are my personal opinions or techniques I have come across over the years- I will try to give credit where credit is due. These ramblings do not necessarily reflect the general opinions of Copic Markers/Imagination International Inc.
my direct e-mail is marianne@copicmarker.com

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Copic Glossary

ABS/Airbrush System- Copic Airbrush System. Works with either a compressor or Copic aircans. Uses either Sketch or Copic Markers. 1234TroubleshootingAlcohol Markers- Copic markers are alcohol (ethanol) based dye markers, that are known for being low-odor and giving smooth, vibrant colors. Since they are a dye, they will fade in bright lights, but they are acid free on most surfaces. Anything with alcohol in it will react with these inks. Any Copic marker type is refillable with replaceable tips. They will not cause paper to pill when going over it many times, nor will they dissolve photocopies.

Color Saturation- This is the first digit on a color name. Colors that are 00's, 10's, or 20's will be more vibrant (B05, G16, R29), while colors that are in the 70's, 80's or 90's have more gray added (B95, BG78, G94) and are closer to the neutral/earthy end of the color spectrum. Note: E (Earth) markers don't necessarily follow this rule.

Color Group- A sequential group of colors within one color family with the same first digit (i.e. E30, E31, E33, E34, E35, E37, E39) where numbers ending in 0 are the lightest and 9 is the darkest, also called Natural Blending Group

Copic Certification- These are classes for teachers, store owners, or designers who want to learn techniques and advanced tips on using Copic markers, Airbrushing, etc. for papercrafting. Each class is about 7 hrs, and will be held regionally. Check here for listings of upcoming classes.

Spica Glitter Pens - also called atyou Spica pens. These fun, pigment based pens are filled with micro glass flakes, giving a very subtle, elegant sparkle. Keep stored flat, though if they are giving you troubles, try storing them point down overnite.

Various Ink- Also called Refill Ink or Re-inkers. Each bottle holds 25 cc's of ink. 322 colors available, empty bottle for mixing custom colors also available. Great for making alcohol ink effects, such as Faux Stone or covering large areas. When you see streaking in your work it's time to refill. You can refill directly from your bottle of ink, or you can use a booster needle. Try not to overfill.For refilling dry markers:Ciao- add 1 to 1.5 cc's ink Sketch- 2 cc's Copic 2-3 cc's Wide 3-4 cc's

Using this site for Classes

The content from each post is intended as tutorials and directions as well as useful information. If you would like to use these tutorials in a workshop you are more than welcome to, just give credit to this blog site and other suppliers mentioned in each post.

Thank You!

Marianne

Color Disclaimer

Colors on the screen do not match colors printed in color charts, and neither will match the marker colors in real life. To get a feel of what the colors will look like it's best if you get an actual color swatch.

To request a printed color chart, general catalog, Stamping with Copic Brochure, or Airbrushing with Copic Brochure you can e-mail orders@copicmarker.com (remember, printed charts aren't accurate)

Save a tree, get it digital!For digital copies of the above brochures please look through the Copic Library. Don't see what you need? e-mail me at marianne@copicmarker.com

Check the library also for refilling guides, airbrushing set-ups, and other useful literature.

Click here to purchase your favorite Copic Products

Books by Marianne Walker

These books are stand alone guides for anyone who wants to learn more tricks for coloring with their markers. All images to color are in the back of the book, along with color charts and guides. Each book is printed in English and Español SRP $9.95

Shadows & Shading: A beginner's guide to lighting placementThis book is for teaching you where to accurately put shadows and highlights when coloring with any medium. Includes clear lighting guides to help you plan where to place your shadows & highlights. Distributed by Copic/Imagination International, Inc.